VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Airport Authority Board met Wednesday at its office in the main terminal of the Valdosta Regional Airport.

Plans for several airport improvement projects in various stages of completion — including a ramp expansion design, airfield lighting and signage and the master plan update — were reviewed.

Outgoing board member Rob Evans was given a token of appreciation and incoming member Anthony Payton welcomed. Board Chairman Joe Prater said Evans brought a unique set of skills to the position and added that Payton’s 22 years of experience at Moody Air Force Base will be a great asset to the board.

Executive Director Patti Clark exhibited a spreadsheet showing that Valdosta ticket prices compete favorably with larger airports, such as Jacksonville and Tallahassee.

“Ticket prices are erratic right now,” Clark said.

Vice Chairman Steve Everett pointed out the large number of commercial air travelers routinely accommodated by Valdosta Regional Airport.

Clark said monthly revenues overall exceeded the amount budgeted and explained which items were slightly above budget, including supplies and advertising, travel and training, and certain maintenance items. Clark also displayed data showing that the number of monthly commercial passengers boarding at Valdosta Regional Airport in 2009 so far exceed 2008 figures.

John Rogers of Ameris Bank provided information pertaining to the financing of the corporate hangar project, explaining what steps the board needed to take to facilitate the financing of the project. Everett introduced a resolution authorizing the change from Regions Bank to Ameris Bank and another establishing a temporary construction account. Both resolutions passed unanimously. Board members agreed that a vote to incur the indebtedness necessary to complete the project must wait until an intergovernmental agreement can be reached with the city and county governments.

The board voted to select a new general engineering consultant from among the three finalists. Prater said, “I think we’ve given them a thorough scrub,” and Payton voiced the opinion that all three were qualified to do the job. The board selected The LPA Group Inc. out of South Carolina to fill the position.

After a brief executive session on the subject of real estate, the meeting was adjourned.